When people on both sides of the border sing together

Cultural, artistic and sports exchange activities have always been actively responded to by people on both sides of the border of Long An (Vietnam) and Svay Rieng, Prey Veng (Cambodia). This is an opportunity for people of the two countries to learn about the culture, customs and practices of the other country. Through that, it contributes to building an increasingly strong friendship and promoting socio-economic development.

Long An enhances cultural - artistic, physical education - sports exchange activities with Cambodia

Warm solidarity

After a long interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2022, cultural and sports exchange activities were restarted in some border localities of the province. In mid-May 2022, Thanh Hoa district organized a cultural and artistic exchange program in the border area.

The exchange program was attended by 8 border communes: Thuan Binh, Tan Hiep (Thanh Hoa district); Binh Thanh (Moc Hoa district); Binh Hoa Hung, My Binh, My Quy Tay (Duc Hue district); Tuasaday, Chanh T'ria communes (Chanh T'ria district) along with officers and soldiers of the Thanh Hoa district Infantry Company and Thuan Binh Border Guard Station.

Thanh Hoa district cultural exchange in border area in 2022

The cultural exchange program took place quite excitingly, imbued with solidarity with songs praising the homeland, the country, the border guards, pure love, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia,...

In addition, the program also organized a book exhibition with the theme of Sharing the Mekong River with about 500 books about the homeland, country, and people of Vietnam; national heroes, national historical relics in Long An province; moral education, family lifestyle; life skills education for children; audio and children's stories; popularization of agricultural production techniques, aquaculture;...

This is one of the activities to practically celebrate the 132nd anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 - May 19, 2022); propagate and congratulate Khmer people on the occasion of Chol Chnam Thmay New Year. Thereby, contributing to strengthening solidarity and friendship between the authorities and people on both sides of the Vietnam - Cambodia border; strengthening the close relationship between cadres, soldiers and people in the border communes; creating conditions for the development of the Vietnamese cultural movement in the border communes of Thanh Hoa, Duc Hue, Moc Hoa districts with Chanh T'ria and Tuasaday communes, Chanh T'ria district.

Along with cultural exchanges, sports exchanges were also held. In Tan Hung district, on the occasion of the foreign meeting to celebrate the Year of the Cat 2023, the district organized a foreign volleyball exchange with Kampong Trabaek district, Prey Veng province and Svay Chrum district, Svay Rieng province.

The exchange attracted nearly 300 participants, of which over 100 were from the two neighboring provinces. In addition, at the meeting, the Organizing Committee also organized art performances to introduce and promote the image of the country and people of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Tan Hung district holds international volleyball exchange with Kampong Trabaek district, Prey Veng province and Svay Chrum district, Svay Rieng province

Director of Tan Hung District Culture, Information and Broadcasting Center - Le Van Tho shared: "The cultural and sports exchange activities are organized to strengthen the solidarity and friendship between Tan Hung district and neighboring districts in Cambodia, preserve good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, sustainability and long-term".

Bonding friendship

Long An has a border of nearly 135km through the districts of Tan Hung, Vinh Hung, Duc Hue, Thanh Hoa, Moc Hoa, Duc Hue and Kien Tuong town, adjacent to Svay Rieng and Prey Veng provinces, Kingdom of Cambodia. Therefore, cultural, sports and physical training activities are considered the bond of friendship.

Mr. Yorn SoKhom (Kampong Trabaek district, Prey Veng province) said: “Participating in the sports exchange in Tan Hung district, I made many new friends and understood the customs and habits of the Vietnamese people. Above all, I felt the sincerity and care of the Vietnamese people towards the Cambodian people.”

Kampong Trabaek District Chief Yav Sanin said: “I welcome and wholeheartedly support the sports exchange activities of Tan Hung District in particular and Long An Province in general because these activities are both a healthy and useful playground and create conditions for leaders of border districts to meet, exchange, learn and share experiences. Thereby, contributing to the implementation of the motto: Good neighbors, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability”.

Cultural, artistic and sports exchange activities contribute to strengthening solidarity and friendship between the authorities and people on both sides of the border.

To maintain good neighborly relations, cultural and sports exchanges are focused on by border districts. Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Thanh Hoa district - Ma Thanh Thao said that every year, the district organizes two activities: Cultural and artistic exchanges and sports exchanges with neighboring countries. This is an opportunity for people on both sides of the border to build solidarity and friendship. It is also a solid foundation to protect and foster the long-standing and strong friendship between the two countries.

It is expected that in 2023, the district will organize an art exchange activity in August, accordingly, each unit will prepare 3-5 performances with themes praising the homeland, country, friendship between the two countries,... to exchange together.

In addition, to enrich the program, the locality often combines a number of other activities to attract people and students to participate such as book exhibitions, cuisine, etc. Sports activities are scheduled to be held in October, including football or volleyball exchanges.

According to Vice Chairman of Vinh Hung District People's Committee - Nguyen Tuan Anh, in recent times, the district's cultural and diplomatic work with the neighboring Cambodian localities has been implemented synchronously, such as effectively organizing many propaganda and visual promotion activities; cultural and sports exchanges; exchanges and cooperation have been increasingly expanded, people of the two countries have had the opportunity to meet, exchange information and connect with each other more, building and preserving the long-standing friendly and united relationship. Thereby, contributing to maintaining political security, order and social safety on the border, promoting local socio-economic development./.

Van Dat